Published on Monday 21 July 2025
The planning application for a new £29.4 million flood defence scheme, designed to reduce significant tidal flood risk to properties and infrastructure in Poole over the next 100 years, has been approved.
The area from Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill is the last remaining undefended waterfront in Poole town centre. The new defences will stretch over 1.5 km of the eastern side of Holes Bay and will also benefit the historic Old Town and surrounding areas.
There is a present-day risk of tidal flooding to 570 properties which increases significantly over the next century to over 2000 properties due to climate change and sea level rise. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, in collaboration with the Environment Agency (EA), private landowners, developers and others, has worked to provide a flood defence solution, delivered in a single phase.
Cllr Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy at BCP Council, said: “We are delighted to have received planning consent for this scheme which will complete important flood defences for Poole Old Town. Following extensive efforts over recent years its importance has been recognised both nationally and locally, receiving substantial funding contributions from both Environment Agency Grant in Aid and BCP Council Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
“The scheme will reduce the risk of tidal flooding to the local community. Once constructed, it will unlock the regeneration potential of Poole’s West Quays which has been a long-term ambition of the council. Development by private landowners is expected to provide vibrant ground-floor frontages for businesses and new homes on the upper floors. As developments complete, it will enable new public quayside and waterfront routes around Poole Harbour for leisure, exercise and commuter use, positively contributing to the area’s sustainability.
Ron Curtis, Area Flood and Coast Risk Manager, Environment Agency (Wessex) said: “The granting of planning permission for this project is a key milestone in the delivery of flood protection works for Poole town centre. Whilst it was originally anticipated that the regeneration of the waterside sites would have brought these flood defences forward within their design and construction, this has not materialised over the last decade.
“Therefore, South West Flood & Coastal has been working hard to deliver this flood scheme using central government funding and has been successful in gaining consents to deliver this large and complex project. Once completed it will immediately reduce the flood risk to over 570 properties and support the long-term sustainability of the town centre against the threats of climate change.”
Construction of the defences alongside the Holes Bay Path (adjacent to Holes Bay Road, A350) and Lifeboat Quay is set to begin in August 2025 for around five months. Notices and signs will be erected to inform people of the planned works. Project updates can be found at www.twobays.net